The Serenity Club Inc. formed a Building Committee in Spring of 1995. the Committee was asked to locate land for the construction of a new club. Several sites were found, but the bank would not give the club a loan for the land. Tri-City Bank Loan Officer Dennis Yoering suggested to James Britain , that they find an existing building instead of land. He mentioned a vacant building owned by Craig Landre , as a possible site for the Serenity Club. Jim called Karl Keith and they met Craig Landre at 6229 W. Forest Home Ave, to look at the facility. Craig still held a mortgage on the building with Tri-City Bank. Ludy’s Steakhouse and Francesca’s Pizza, had previously occupied the building. The building had been vacant for about one year, and Craig was having trouble leasing or selling the building. The former restaurant with two halls, was over 14,00 square feet and needed some repairs.
Craig Landre offered to sell the building to the Serenity Club, Upon completion of an inspection. Club members toured the empty building and returned to the Serenity Club. They voted on the Committee’s proposal to purchase the property, a majority voted in favor, and the meeting was adjourned. The Serenity Club Board of directors overturned the membership decision the next day. The Board had an official inspection done and felt the site was too large and needed too many repairs.
Five members of the Building Committee, Karl Keith, Jim Britain, Nick Karasand andKurt Vollbrecht, saw the excitement people expressed over the facilities large size and it’s great location. They met several times to formulate a plan of action to obtain this site for a new sobriety club. An agreement was reached between them and owner Craig Landre, to rent the building for $ 5,000.00 for two months. More than twenty people donated anywhere from $100.00 to $1,000.00 apiece to get the place started. they thought within the next two months they would find out if the new Pass It On Club would make a go of it or not. A pot luck fund raising dinner and an open AA/ Alanon meeting was held to kick things off. The dinner was held on Saturday,November 4th, 1995, and was attended by more than 300 people.
The following Monday volunteers started showing up to clean, stock supplies and tend the coffee/ soda counter. Funds were scarce at first, but people became members and donated items as well as money to the cause. the first Closed meeting of Alcoholic’s Anonymous took place on Friday November 17th 1995, at 8:00 pm. And was attended by 11 people. Alcoholic’s Anonymous and Al-Anon Meetings started to move to the new club from other locations. Some new meetings were started by people at the club.
A Board of directors was in place by December. The Club was Incorporated, inspections took place, permits were issued and it was legally open for business. The Bord Signed a five year land contract with owner Craig Landre to purchase the building for $325,000.00, In January of 1996. The Pass It On Club Inc. continues to grow because of the generosity and hard work of individuals, businesses and a Higher Power that has Continually watched over it.